Michigan's real, inflation-adjusted gross domestic product increased by 2.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015, ranking ninth among the 50 states and the District of Columbia for the period.

The state's fourth-quarter GDP growth outpaced the 0.2 percent increase from the fourth quarter of 2014, according to seasonally adjusted data released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The state's real GDP reached $474.7 billion in the quarter, up from $454.2 billion a year earlier.

Manufacturing led all sectors in Michigan for the quarter, BEA data show, while construction, wholesale trade, information and professional services also performed well. Retail was mostly flat.

Michigan's economic growth was "a good showing ... as part of the continuing catch-up," said Charles Ballard, an economist at Michigan State University.

"The rebound of manufacturing is not yet at an end," Ballard said, adding that the North American vehicle market isn't expected to continue its record-setting climb in coming years. "But it's good to see continued strength or, at least, catching up,"

The information industry led GDP growth in 49 states and Washington, D.C., according to the BEA. Growth in the sector hit 10.6 percent in the fourth quarter. Construction and professional, scientific and technical services also led growth across the country.

Indiana led the nation with quarterly GDP growth of 3 percent, followed by Ohio at 2.9 percent. Utah, Colorado and Florida rounded out the top five.

Despite Michigan's quarterly growth, while strong, the state still lags others when it comes to per-capita real GDP, Ballard said. Michigan ranked 39th among states and Washington, D.C., in 2015, BEA data show.